The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1887-08-18

me. AZ I approached headquarters
] noticed q number Of scouts group-
cd together, aud evidently engaged
in discussing something important,
and soon learned what this was.
General Sheridan desired to send
an important dispatch to Fort
Dodge, q distance Of nine'y-fve
miles. Volunteers were requested
but none responded. The general
told me this, and what could / dof
General l said, If there is no
one ready to volunteer, I'll carry
your dispatches myself
The gsnsral expressed himself
greatly pleased at my offer, but at
the same time said that he bad not
thought of asking me to undertake
the duty, as i had been fully hard
worked already. But it was very
important that the dispatches should
go.
IF you don't get courier by A
o'clock this afternoon, I'll do the
business | responded, 'but | must
have fresh horse, aud meantime
will take little rest IL was not
much rest | got, but punctnally Mt 4
o'clock 1 announced myself ready,
and mounting fresh horse, started
on the road. ] crossed Smoky Hill
rivor at dark, and it was just day
light as rode up to Sam Long
Crossing on the Pawnee fork, where
a company of colored cavalry were
posted, under Major Cox. Here L
got n fresh horse, and continuing
my lonely ride, covered the remains
lug twenty-five miles to Fort Dodge,
and arrived soon after 8 o'clock
o'clock without having seen single
Indian.
Having delivered my dispatches
and csted an hour | was informed
that the commander wished to send
some dispatches to Fort Larned,
my Own post. /, Uf course, readily
undertook to carry these, and my
offer was gladly accepted by the
general, provided Thought l could
stand the trip after my recent ia
tigue.'
All want ia fresh horse, sir,
I said.
Here was the difficulty. There
was not such thing as decent
horse available, the only animals r.
be had being government mules oi
which there was largo choice.
made no difficulty about this. 'Tro'
, ont your mule said, Il am ready
now
The mulo was rapidly forthcom-
/ ing, apd at dark started once more
on the road for Fort Larned, ant
proceeded without interruption to
: Cook creek, thirty miles from For
, Dodge.
Here | d;smopntod and led my
I mule to pool to tive him som,
{ water. also stood myself drink
using my hat for dipper, and
4 while engaged in procuring this re-
= freshment, my mule suddenly ierke'
I off, and mbled away down to tt
# creek. Then it flashed across III
d mind that in the bury OF departur
: l had omitted 10 make my lariat fas
o to him, aud that ho was at large.
d / followed him gently in the hop
# of getting hold of his bride, an
70 that he would perchance stop. Ii
It did not. He made straight for th
h wagon road, but instead of maxim
8. for Fort Dodge, as l expected b
le would, he turned toward Fort Larn
{, ed, and logged merrily along, wit
o. most happy and unconcerned al
st Several times l succeeded in geitin
III lust up TO him, when he would pI
" on o spurt aud go ahead easy slacl
Of ing down as soon as gave up chas
ID l was sorely tempted TO shoot hi
w with my gun, which l fortunate
SO held in my band, but the repo
r would have probably brought Il
st Indians down on me, and as he wa
og besides, company for me, refrai
cd. And thus the mule march'
ey on, and / followed on foot-cursin
ve From Coon creek to Fort Larn'
Ill is thirty-five miles and we-that
ay the mule and myself-made pret
good time. There was nothing
raj hold the mule, and was strivi
l hard to catch him-which urg
or him on. In addition to the excl
r 3 ment of this pedestrian competitie
=